Scientists Closer to Solving Migraine Mystery

A group of more than 80 researchers say they have discovered five new genetic regions linked to the debilitating headaches.

A group of more than 80 researchers believe they’re a step closer to solving a major neurological mystery.

For years, scientists have been stumped by what causes debilitating migraine headaches.

They believe the answer lies in genetics, but can’t say with certainty which genes are to blame, and what makes a person who gets regular migraines different from someone who doesn’t.

The group of researchers say they have discovered five new genetic regions linked to migraine headaches, a development that could help scientists figure out what causes or triggers a migraine.

It’s a step in the right direction, says Werner Becker, a headache expert from the University of Calgary.

“They think they’re honing in on some genes that are important in producing migraine in individuals but they’re not quite there yet,” said Becker, a neurologist who runs the Calgary Headache Assessment and Management Program.

Scientists know migraines tend to run in families, and that the child of a parent who gets migraines will be more likely to have them, too.

“But we’ve never been able to identify clear genes that are predisposed to that,” explained Edith Hamel, a neurologist who teaches at McGill University.

“There may be multiple genes that may basically render somebody to be more susceptible to migraine attacks.”

Because scientists aren’t sure how the brain of someone who gets migraines is different from the brain of someone who doesn’t get them, doctors have trouble treating migraines.

They can’t predict with certainty which patients will respond to medication. That means they have to use trial and error to treat patients, Becker said.

“Presumably the ones who don’t respond are somewhat different from those who do respond genetically,” the doctor said.

In their study, more than 80 researchers from around the world analyzed results from more than 29 gene studies, and more than 100,000 samples from people who get migraines and those who don’t.

They found 12 genetic regions — five which are believed to be new — linked to “migraine susceptibility.”

Eight of those regions, the study says, sit near genes “known to play a role in controlling brain circuitries,” while two are linked to genes that help maintain healthy brain tissue.

The research could help the estimated 1 per cent of the population who suffer from chronic migraines, meaning they have migraines for at least 14 days of the month, Becker said.

In Calgary, where Becker works, there are about 10,000 people who suffer from chronic migraines.

“These kinds of studies are going to ultimately lead to better results for patients, because they’ll get the best medication for them earlier on in their treatment and not after a bunch of trial and error,” Becker said.

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